This past week, Heichal’s Torah Bowl team won this season’s final championship after competing with five other yeshivas in the tri-state area. In a very close game between Heichal, JEC, DRS, SAR, HALB and North Shore Hebrew Academy, Heichal came in first place with a score of 23 points, while North Shore and JEC tied for second place with 20 points each.

With over 90 questions in the competition, it was a close match until the end. The questions covered the entire sefer Bereishis, including all of Rashi’s commentary. Participating in the Torah Bowl requires tremendous dedication by the students, with students committing to learning a different sefer of Chumash each year, including all of the text of that sefer with all of Rashi’s commentary. The talmidim—Yonatan Abrahams, Ami Forman, Netanel Goldfisher, Dovi Morell, Nachum Pietruszka, Yehuda Stein and Adir Strauchler—met each week to review material with Heichal rebbe Rabbi Jason Finkelstein, who serves as Torah Bowl advisor.

The Torah Bowl competition was developed and coordinated by Rabbi Mair Wolofsky in 1995, and today, close to 70 teams from throughout the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area compete. Congratulations to the Heichal team and Rabbi Finkelstein on winning the championship. This tremendous accomplishment fills the yeshiva with much nachas and joy.